Well, when we hear the term Oregon Trail, the famous westward migration of pioneers in the 1800s often comes to mind and we envision rugged landscapes, covered wagons and the search for new opportunities. But part of the less glamorous side of this great American adventure was the constant danger of disease. The most common and deadly of these diseases, however, was dysentery.
Dysentery, a disease characterized by severe diarrhea, sometimes with blood, was a leading cause of death on the Oregon Trail expeditions. The privations of the trip — poor sanitation, tainted water supplies, little medical attention — permitted dysentery to spread quickly, decimating entire wagon trains.
This article will explore the details of the occurrences of dysentery on the Oregon Trail journey, including its causes, symptoms, effects on the pioneers, and its contribution to changing the course of human life due to American westward expansion.
The Oregon Trail: A Dangerous Journey
The Oregon Trail was a 2,000-mile-long route from Missouri to the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Beginning in the early 1840s and continuing through the 1860s when the transcontinental railroad was completed, it became the primary route for settlers wishing to move westward. Today marks the beginning of the Oregon Trail, where an estimated 400,000 people journeyed over twenty years to find new farming and ranching land for a better life.
The journey, which usually took four to six months, was arduous and perilous. Early settlers faced a swathe of challenging weather, from blistering summer heat and freezing winter glacial thaws to dangerous mountain passes. As well as the natural danger there was also an ever-present threat from diseases, including cholera, malaria and dysentery.
Dysentery was especially rampant on the Oregon Trail, in part due to the bad sanitation habits that prevailed at the time. Pioneers did not have modern medicine or sanitation systems at their disposal, and were therefore especially susceptible to waterborne diseases such as dysentery.
What is Dysentery?
Dysentery is inflammation of the intestines resulting in severe diarrhea with blood and mucus. Bacillary dysentery and amoebic dysentery are the two most common forms of dysentery caused by bacterial infection and parasitic infection respectively. Shigella and Amoeba vulgaris cause bacboard and amoebic dysentery respectively.
For travelers on the Oregon Trail, it was bacillary dysentery, the most common variant. It was usually transmitted through contaminated food or water sources, which were often tainted with human waste due to insufficient sanitation along the route. Pioneers in some instances drank from streams and rivers without knowing that the water was polluted with bacteria, prompting an outbreak of dysentery in the group.
Symptoms of Dysentery
The symptoms of dysentery include:
- Severe diarrhea (often containing blood or mucus)
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dehydration (due to the loss of fluids from diarrhea)
If left untreated, dysentery could quickly lead to dehydration, shock, and even death. The mortality rate among pioneers afflicted with dysentery was alarmingly high, especially in the early stages of the Oregon Trail migrations.
The Role of Contaminated Water and Poor Sanitation
The post does an excellent job discussing the role of unsanitary conditions in the rapid spread of dysentery on the Oregon Trail. In an era of pioneering long before the advent of modern sewage systems or water purification techniques, pioneers would often camp near rivers or streams, where waste was dumped directly into the water. The outcome was the contamination of drinking water with bacteria and parasites that can cause serious illness.
Pioneers not only had contaminated water, but also improper waste disposal facilities. There were few private spaces, scorching heat, flies and disease, and little access to clean water, creating conditions for the rapid spread of dysentery and other deadly or debilitating diseases.
In addition, there were so many travelers on the trail that it was impossible to keep any cleanliness or hygiene. Wagon trains could consist of dozens or hundreds of people, and with that many people living in such close quarters it was impossible not to spread diseases quickly.
The Impact of Dysentery on Pioneer Populations
Many of those who made it through Dysentery died on the trail, and the effects on the migration were devastating. In fact, dysentery—like cholera—was one of the top killers on the Oregon Trail, and most estimates say that these two diseases made up a large majority of deaths that happened along the trail. Although there may be some disagreement as to the exact number of deaths, some studies have found that over 20,000 pioneers lost their lives on the Oregon Trail, with a high proportion of deaths due to diseases such as dysentery.
The chain reaction of dysentery infected the entire wagon train. Once one family member or other close contact fell ill, it was common for others to catch the disease, too. The consequent loss of productivity and manpower put the journey that much further out of reach for the remaining pioneers. Moreover, the emotional impact for families and communities, that had already suffered, was great.
In instances, entire wagon trains were decimated by dysentery outbreaks — with only a fraction of the group left to reach the final destination. This added to the tragedy of the Oregon Trail and the harsh truths of westward migration.
Appendix J: Treatment and Remedies on the Oregon Trail
In the early 1800s, medical knowledge was still rudimentary and there were few effective treatments for dysentery. Pioneers managed with folk remedies or primitive treatments that had been handed down through the centuries. These therapies ranged from herbal remedies, such as liquid pomegranate or oak bark, both thought to have astringent properties that might prevent diarrhea.
But these treatments were frequently ineffective, and dysentery continued to devastate the pioneers. In certain cases, physicians or travelers utilized mercury (which was harmful) or calomel (a type of mercury compound) as a method of treatment, causing even more damage to the patient’s health.
One of the simplest treatments was to make sure that the sick person was hydrated to avoid dehydration. However, clean water was often scarce, and the lack of electrolytes and hydration could kill before any meaningful treatment could take effect.
Without medical knowledge, the occasional pioneer hastily buried loved ones in the hope they would not infect others. The speedy mode of travel and the ongoing risk of infection forbade mourning or care for the deceased in any conventional way.
The Long-Term Effects of Dysentery on the Oregon Trail Migration
The legacy of dysentery on the Oregon Trail is still felt today. The disease contributed to a darker side of the westward migration, casting a shadow over the success stories of pioneers who made it to Oregon.
The deaths from dysentery and other diseases forced many travelers to reconsider the feasibility of migrating along the Oregon Trail. This led to a shift in how people viewed westward migration. Some pioneers, particularly those who suffered from disease outbreaks, turned back or abandoned their journey altogether.
Additionally, the devastating toll taken by dysentery and other diseases spurred the need for better health and sanitation measures on future journeys. It also contributed to the development of more effective medical treatments and an increased awareness of the importance of hygiene and clean water.
Conclusion: Remembering the Pioneers’ Struggles
The story of dysentery on the Oregon Trail is just one of many hardships faced by the brave men, women, and children who embarked on the journey westward. While many succeeded in reaching Oregon and starting new lives, countless others fell victim to diseases like dysentery that swept through the wagon trains.
Their struggles and sacrifices are a testament to the resilience and determination of the pioneers, who risked everything in search of a better life in the American West. Today, as we reflect on the history of the Oregon Trail, we are reminded of the grim realities of early American migration.
Understanding the prevalence of diseases like dysentery helps us appreciate the remarkable achievement of those who made it across the rugged terrain and the lessons we can learn from their experiences.